3.4Illustrative descriptors

A1

A2

B1

Listening

I can recognise familiar

I can understand phrases

I can understand the main

words and very basic

and the highest frequency

points of clear standard

phrases concerning

vocabulary related to areas

speech on familiar matters

myself, my family and

of most immediate personal

regularly encountered in

U

immediate concrete

relevance (e.g. very basic

work, school, leisure, etc. I

surroundings when

personal and family

can understand the main

N

people speak slowly

information, shopping,

point of many radio or TV

D

and clearly.

local area, employment).

programmes on current

E

I can catch the main point in

affairs or topics of personal

R

short, clear, simple messages

or professional interest when

S

and announcements.

the delivery is relatively slow

T

and clear.

A

N

Reading

I can understand

I can read very short, simple

I can understand texts that

D

familiar names, words

texts. I can find specific,

consist mainly of high

I

and very simple

predictable information in

frequency everyday or job-

N

sentences, for example

simple everyday material

related language. I can

G

on notices and posters

such as advertisements,

understand the description of

or in catalogues.

prospectuses, menus and

events, feelings and wishes in

timetables and I can

personal letters.

understand short simple

personal letters.

Spoken

I can interact in a simple

I can communicate in simple

I can deal with most situations

Interaction

way provided the other

and routine tasks requiring a

likely to arise whilst travelling

person is prepared to

simple and direct exchange of

in an area where the language

repeat or rephrase things

information on familiar topics

is spoken. I can enter

at a slower rate of speech

and activities. I can handle

unprepared into conversation

and help me formulate

very short social exchanges,

on topics that are familiar, of

S

what I’m trying to say. I

even though I can’t usually

personal interest or pertinent

can ask and answer simple

understand enough to keep

to everyday life (e.g. family,

P

questions in areas of

the conversation going myself.

hobbies, work, travel and

E

immediate need or on

current events).

A

very familiar topics.

K

I

Spoken

I can use simple phrases

I can use a series of phrases

I can connect phrases in a

N

Production

and sentences to describe

and sentences to describe in

simple way in order to describe

G

where I live and people I

simple terms my family and

experiences and events, my

know.

other people, living

dreams, hopes and ambitions.

conditions, my educational

I can briefly give reasons and

background and my present

explanations for opinions and

or most recent job.

plans. I can narrate a story or

relate the plot of a book or

film and describe my reactions.

Writing

I can write a short, simple

I can write short, simple notes

I can write simple connected

W

postcard, for example

and messages relating to

text on topics which are

sending holiday greetings.

matters in areas of immediate

familiar or of personal interest.

R

I can fill in forms with

need. I can write a very simple

I can write personal letters

I

personal details, for

personal letter, for example

describing experiences and

T

example entering my

thanking someone for

impressions.

I

name, nationality and

something.

N

address on a hotel

G

registration form.

Common Reference Levels

B2

C1

C2

I can understand extended speech

I can understand extended speech

I have no difficulty in understanding

and lectures and follow even

even when it is not clearly

any kind of spoken language,

complex lines of argument provided

structured and when relationships

whether live or broadcast, even when

the topic is reasonably familiar. I

are only implied and not signalled

delivered at fast native speed,

can understand most TV news and

explicitly. I can understand

provided I have some time to get

current affairs programmes. I can

television programmes and films

familiar with the accent.

understand the majority of films in

without too much effort.

standard dialect.

I can read articles and reports

I can understand long and

I can read with ease virtually all

concerned with contemporary

complex factual and literary

forms of the written language,

problems in which the writers adopt

texts, appreciating distinctions of

including abstract, structurally or

particular attitudes or viewpoints. I

style. I can understand specialised

linguistically complex texts such as

can understand contemporary

articles and longer technical

manuals, specialised articles and

literary prose.

instructions, even when they do

literary works.

not relate to my field.

I can interact with a degree of

I can express myself fluently and

I can take part effortlessly in any

fluency and spontaneity that makes

spontaneously without much

conversation or discussion and have a

regular interaction with native

obvious searching for expressions.

good familiarity with idiomatic

speakers quite possible. I can take an

I can use language flexibly and

expressions and colloquialisms. I can

active part in discussion in familiar

effectively for social and

express myself fluently and convey

contexts, accounting for and

professional purposes. I can

finer shades of meaning precisely. If I

sustaining my views.

formulate ideas and opinions with

do have a problem I can backtrack

precision and relate my

and restructure around the difficulty

contribution skilfully to those of

so smoothly that other people are

other speakers.

hardly aware of it.

I can present clear, detailed

I can present clear, detailed

I can present a clear, smoothly

descriptions on a wide range of

descriptions of complex subjects

flowing description or argument in a

subjects related to my field of

integrating sub-themes, developing

style appropriate to the context and

interest. I can explain a viewpoint on

particular points and rounding off

with an effective logical structure

a topical issue giving the advantages

with an appropriate conclusion.

which helps the recipient to notice

and disadvantages of various options.

and remember significant points.

I can write clear, detailed text on a

I can express myself in clear, well-

I can write clear, smoothly flowing

wide range of subjects related to my

structured text, expressing points

text in an appropriate style. I can

interests. I can write an essay or

of view at some length. I can write

write complex letters, reports or

report, passing on information or

about complex subjects in a

articles which present a case with an

giving reasons in support of or

letter, an essay or a report,

effective logical structure which

against a particular point of view. I

underlining what I consider to be

helps the recipient to notice and

can write letters highlighting the

the salient issues. I can select

remember significant points. I can

personal significance of events and

style appropriate to the reader

write summaries and reviews of

experiences.

in mind.

professional or literary works.